Logica completed games against the top three teams in the division with a credible and hard-fought draw against second-placed Dark Star. Having beaten St Anselms the week before, and only lost to league leaders Cultural by conceding a late penalty, Logica have clearly demonstrated that they are able to compete with the best teams in the division. It is not wildly ridiculous to hypothesise on Logica’s possible league position had a few of those close defeats or draws been turned into victories. Certainly a place in Europe would have been a realistic opportunity.

Memories of our November encounter with Dark Star were prominent in the mind of Supremo Fleming as he devised his tactics for this important match. That fixture saw a shambolic and disinterested Logica side crash 8-2. A tight defence was to be the basis of our approach, and this strategy was greatly boosted by the return of first-choice keeper Manlio Trovato. Some subtle tinkering in attack saw the goal-starved Abbott dropped to the bench, whilst fellow reserve Asampong was unlucky not to get a start after an impressive debut the week before.

Logica started on the back-foot and our Supremo’s best-laid plans were shattered when Dark Star took an early lead. A precise through-ball released Dark Star’s pacey striker, but the danger appeared have passed as Appleyard and Hatton recovered to block. But as the ball bounced in no-mans land, the Logica cast seemed to be in freeze-frame, and the Star turned and lobbed the ball high over the stranded Trovato for a 1-0 lead.

The home-side responded positively and began to take the game to Dark Star. A number of promising moves yielded nothing before Logica equalised in bizarre fashion. A throw-in was won on the left, level with the Star eighteen-yard line. Toman wound himself up and unleashed one of his long-distance catapults. The ball was delivered deep into the six-yard box. Spence’s aerial threat unnerved defender and keeper alike, and the ball looped up off the former’s head, back over a posse of gawping onlookers, and sneaked into the net at the far post (1-1). Not exactly one we’d practised in training. But then we don’t train, so that’s not really surprising.

The second-half found Logica under the cosh for almost the full forty-five minutes. Defensive excellence kept Star at bay, and Trovato was once again outstanding. A series of good diving saves and brave hoof-defying advances demonstrated a natural talent for goal-minding that Logica’s Italian import has mysteriously kept quiet about for two years. One save that Trovato made was breath-taking. A corner was only half-cleared and the Star forward whipped a low-shot goal-bound just inside the post. Trovato’s reactions were instant, and an agile dive enabled him to just tip the ball onto the post. As the ball rebounded, Trovato was equally quick to recover and was able to block his opponent’s follow-up. Rumours that Cesare Maldini was in the Links Avenue Stadium watching the potential Azzurri Numero Uno sound quite plausible, and Trovato may have two French World Cups on his hands this coming summer.

Amidst all this, Logica did create a few good chances. Gow flashed a snap-shot over the bar from close-range early in the second half. Abbott was called from the bench and created one chance for himself via a neat turn, but his weak left-foot shot merely maintained his consistent scoring rate. The other substitute Asampong showed great battling qualities for half an hour, and added some much needed strength to Logica’s back-line. He also contributed to some irregular raids, and indeed was closest to scoring when a good move down the Logica left culminated in a blistering low shot that the keeper did well to block.

At the end of the day, the Logica players must be very happy with a hard-earned point which should enable them to edge a little further towards safety. As ever the crunch is near, and Logica now have to finish their campaign with two games against the teams below them propping up the table. Whilst most hold faith in Logica’s Coventryesque abilities in escapology (reinforced by Fleming’s uncanny resemblance to Mr Strachan), nothing should be taken for granted and these two games need to be won. As we are apt to remind everyone at this time of the year, Logica FC has NEVER been relegated, and it would be a travesty for the new regime if we took the drop after our most promising season in recent years.